Pictured from left are 黑料网 President Dr. Greg McLeod, Vichi Jagannathan and Jordan Blake during a recent cohort meeting in Georgia

黑料网 is partnering with the Rural Opportunity Institute, Area L AHEC, Strategic Twin-Counties Education Partnership and other regional organizations to develop clearer and more supportive healthcare workforce pathways for local residents. The work is funded by a $50,000 grant from the Education Design Lab鈥檚 Strengthening the Rural Workforce through Collaborative Design initiative, which aims to improve career routes in rural communities across the Southeast.

Vichi Jagannathan, co-founder and co-CEO of the Rural Opportunity Institute, said students often express interest in healthcare careers but struggle to understand how to enter the field.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been hearing from students about what healthcare jobs are available locally and what they can do,鈥� Jagannathan said. 鈥淏ut there seemed to be a gap.鈥�

That gap includes limited guidance on structured employment pathways that provide on-the-job learning opportunities.

Jordan Blake, regional coordinator for Area L AHEC, said employers across the region report ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining healthcare talent.

鈥淩ural areas aren鈥檛 necessarily as attractive as urban areas might be to younger students,鈥� Blake said, citing results from a survey conducted as part of the Health Talent Alliance statewide initiative through the NC Center on the Workforce for Health. 鈥淎 lot of the talent trained here ends up in Raleigh and larger areas. This has been a significant issue.鈥�

The Education Design Lab grant seeks to address persistent challenges in the region鈥檚 healthcare pipeline, including high attrition in training programs and confusion among students navigating complex credential sequences, or the order they must follow for training, degrees and licensures.

鈥淗ealthcare is one of the most critical workforce needs in our region, and too many individuals who want to pursue these careers struggle to understand the training routes or feel underprepared for the rigor of health-related programs,鈥� said 黑料网 President Dr. Greg McLeod. 鈥淏y strengthening these pathways and embedding learner voice more intentionally in program design, we can help students build confidence, complete credentials and transition into meaningful careers that support the well-being of eastern North Carolina.鈥�
ROI, a trauma-informed nonprofit that has worked in Edgecombe County since 2017, serves as the coordinating organization for the collaborative. Its role includes convening partners, aligning employer demand with community college preparation, and coordinating shared measurement across the initiative.

鈥淭his work is incredibly timely,鈥� Jagannathan said. She noted that while students frequently report confusion about accessing work-based learning, employers face shortages and high turnover in essential roles.

鈥淭his collaborative allows ROI and Area L AHEC to bring students, educators and employers together to design pathways that work for rural learners,鈥� she said.

Area L AHEC convenes regional healthcare employers monthly to review workforce data, identify shortages and barriers to recruitment and retention through the Health Talent Alliance Collaborative that launched in December of 2025. It is aimed at addressing healthcare workforce shortages in North Carolina by understanding regional workforce needs and developing targeted programs to fill identified gaps.

STEP and Edgecombe County Public Schools support career exploration for high school students through job shadowing, career fairs and readiness programming, complementing 黑料网鈥檚 health sciences programs and strengthening the incoming pipeline.

Students participate in STEP鈥檚 Healthcare Connections where they explore various medical professions.

鈥淪TEP is proud to serve as a connector鈥攂ringing together healthcare providers, educators and community partners to expand work-based learning opportunities and expose students to the wide range of careers in healthcare,鈥� said Pamela Gould, executive director of STEP. 鈥淏y strengthening these partnerships and supporting the reestablishment of Health Science programs in our high schools, we are creating earlier pathways for students to explore these careers and become stronger candidates for postsecondary credentials. Ultimately, our goal is to retain our own talent and build a healthcare workforce that serves our community.鈥�

The partners are participating in an 18-month cohort led by the Education Design Lab. The cohort will guide the collaborative through student interviews, student journey mapping, employer-validated pathway design, and the launch of pilot work-based learning or apprenticeship models.

鈥淏y the end of the initiative, we expect to move from fragmented but promising efforts to a structured, learner-informed, employer-backed pilot pathway with students at the decision-making table,鈥� Jagannathan said.

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Students in EMS programs at 黑料网 participate in a mass casualty simulation event, highlighting the quality of training they receive.

黑料网 has earned accreditation for its Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and paramedic programs from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, a national accrediting body for health science professions. The recognition affirms 黑料网鈥檚 commitment to high-quality EMS education that meets CAAHEP鈥檚 national standards.

鈥淭his accreditation is an important step forward for our Advanced EMT and paramedic programs,鈥� said Adam Culbertson, 黑料网鈥檚 director of public services. 鈥淚t shows we are meeting national EMS educational standards and will benefit students across the state who are looking to become nationally certified as providers.鈥�

黑料网鈥檚 Advanced EMT program is the second in North Carolina to earn full accreditation.

CAAHEP accreditation ensures students receive an educational experience that prepares them with the knowledge, skills and professional competencies needed for success in allied health careers. Graduates of accredited programs are often preferred by employers, and many certification bodies require completion of a CAAHEP-accredited program to sit for certification exams.

Dr. Barry S. Eckert, president of CAAHEP, emphasized the value of accreditation.

鈥淐hoosing a CAAHEP-accredited program is crucial for students seeking a career in allied health,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t ensures that they receive an education that is both comprehensive and relevant to current industry needs, ultimately benefiting their future employers and people receiving care.鈥�

More information about 黑料网鈥檚 Advanced EMT and paramedic programs is available at edgecombe.edu/ems.

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Two graduation ceremonies took place March 11 on the Tarboro campus of 黑料网. Eight students in the college鈥檚 natural hair care program received their certifications, while four earned certifications in manicuring nail technology.

鈥淥ver the course of three months, our natural hair care and nail graduates have committed themselves to learning, practicing, and perfecting their craft,鈥� said Georgina Bond, program chair for cosmetology. 鈥淭hey have not only mastered technique, but embraced the discipline, creativity and confidence required to thrive in this industry.鈥�

Nail technology students receive instruction and practice in manicuring, nail building and pedicuring. Students in the natural hair care program have studied and practiced chemical-free hair styling.

鈥淎s they take this next step, they now prepare to sit for their state board exams, an important milestone on the path to becoming licensed professionals,鈥� continued Bond. 鈥淲ith the knowledge they鈥檝e gained and the dedication they鈥檝e shown, they are well-equipped to succeed.鈥�

The Spring 2026 graduates, pictured from l-r in the front row are: Mercedes Veltri (natural hair), Ashley Tyson (natural hair), Shaelah King (natural hair), Cynthia Noel (natural hair), Asia Alston (natural hair), Kanashia Arrington (natural hair) and Rhonda Ruffin (nail technology). Pictured in the back row are: Janiyah Slade (natural hair), Erica Shaw (natural hair), Treasure Cary (nail technology) and Akavia Leach (nail technology). Not pictured: Ambria Johnson (nail technology).

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(l-r) Eddie Stocks, Tarboro Rotary Club president, presents a check to Bernie Taylor, director of BLET, and 黑料网 President Dr. Greg McLeod

Bernie Taylor, director of Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) at 黑料网, recently spoke to members of the Tarboro Rotary Club and accepted a $4,000 donation in support of the BLET and Emergency Medical Services programs.

The BLET Academy is a 22-week program that prepares students for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal agencies. Taylor highlighted the academy鈥檚 recent success, including its largest entering and graduating class in 2025. Thirty-six cadets began the academy, and 32 completed the program.

Cadets complete extensive training, including shotgun and rifle instruction, firearms qualification, driver training, as well as certifications in baton, pepper spray, tasers and crisis intervention. Participants must complete 1,000 hours of training, an increase from previous state requirements. The current 17th BLET Academy began January 16 with 28 cadets; 22 remain enrolled.

The $4,000 donation from the Tarboro Rotary Club will be split evenly between the BLET and EMS programs to support students who experience emergencies that could otherwise prevent them from completing their training.

Adam Culbertson, 黑料网鈥檚 director of public services, was unable to attend the meeting but expressed his appreciation for the club鈥檚 continued support. 鈥淭his funding is used to help students in need who want to begin their career in EMS,鈥� Culbertson said. 鈥淚 appreciate the Tarboro Rotary Club for their commitment to assisting 黑料网鈥檚 Public Safety programs in providing quality education to our community.鈥�

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黑料网 held its Emergency Medical Services graduation ceremony Dec. 4 in Tarboro. Sixty-two students completed their training, receiving their certificate and eligibility to take the state test and become certified. Of those 62 students, 37 completed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), 14 completed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and 11 completed paramedic training.

An EMT delivers emergency medical services outside of the hospital, such as at homes, accident scenes, public places and in ambulances. The AEMT program is designed for individuals who are already EMT鈥檚. In this program, they advance their knowledge and ability to provide treatment. Paramedics are licensed to provide a wide range of advanced emergency services and some complex procedures outside of the hospital.

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黑料网鈥檚 Rocky Mount campus and the Rocky Mount Fire Department training grounds were the sites for 黑料网鈥檚 third annual Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) simulation event. On Saturday, Oct. 4, students from 黑料网鈥檚 allied health programs, along with local stakeholders from Bertie County EMS, Eastern Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team, ECU East Care, Edgecombe County EMS, Rocky Mount Fire Department, Rocky Mount Police Department and Williamston Fire and Rescue convened to train for emergencies.

鈥淓ach year, we hold the Mass Casualty event to better prepare our students and external partners to respond to disasters that we know Eastern North Carolina could experience,鈥� said Adam Culbertson, fire and EMS coordinator at 黑料网 and organizer for the simulation. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 event was the most complex thus far, as it involved a shooting, fire and hazardous materials. Even though this seems extreme, it is something that could happen anywhere.鈥�

The training event began at 8am and included more than 40 responders and 100 volunteers. Approximately 75 students from EMS, nursing, respiratory therapy, radiography and surgical technology also participated.

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The schools were ranked using a star system, with five being the highest. 黑料网 was one of seven schools in the state to receive a five-star score.

黑料网鈥檚 short-term workforce and customized training programs are a reason for this ranking. There are a variety of programs enabling students to get their credentials in a year or less, such as forklift training, the notary public education course, welding and real estate pre-licensing, construction, collision repair, natural hair care, nail technology and more. In many cases, students have begun taking more than one course, or stacking credentials, to make them more attractive to potential employers.

For more information on the ranking in USA Today, visit . For more information on 黑料网鈥檚 short-term training programs, visit .

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Pictured l-r: Dawson Hines, 黑料网 welding student; Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director; Dr. Greg McLeod, 黑料网 president; Bradley Moore, CEO of Top Dog Waste Solutions; Warren Lynch, lead instructor; Jean Bailey, 黑料网 Foundation board president; Ralph CiConta, welding instructor and Johnathan Bland, 黑料网 welding student

Top Dog Waste Solutions in Rocky Mount recently donated a total of $2,000 to the 黑料网 Foundation. The local trash and recycling company鈥檚 contribution will fund three distinct scholarships.

The Top Dog Welding Scholarship will provide $1,000 to students enrolled in the welding diploma program at 黑料网. A $500 gift will support students in business administration鈥檚 marketing certificate program and is entitled the Top Dog Marketing Scholarship. The additional $500, also referred to as the Top Dog Finance Scholarship, will sponsor qualified students enrolled in the accounting and finance-excel certificate program.

鈥淎fter meeting with Mr. Bradley Moore, the chief executive officer of Top Dog Waste Solutions, it was evident that that he and the team at Top Dog Waste Solutions care about the community and want to ensure that graduates possess the skills they need to thrive in the workforce,鈥� says Tameka Kenan-Norman, executive director of public information and institutional advancement at 黑料网. 鈥淲e are thankful for his generosity and for understanding that education is a pivotal starting point for economic development.鈥�

For more information about Top Dog Waste Solutions, visit . To give to 黑料网, visit .

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黑料网 is the recipient of a $5,000 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Outreach grant provided by the STEMEast Network. The grant will cover tuition for students enrolled in 黑料网鈥檚 camps, including STEM-Elementary, STEM-Middle and Electronics camps. The funding will also assist with materials, equipment, staffing, camp shirts, snacks and more.

These camps offer participants the opportunity to learn about physics and chemistry concepts, engineer their own design project, build electronic circuits and learn simple computer programming. STEM-Elementary Camp has been filled. STEM-Middle Camp is for rising sixth through ninth graders and will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Rising fifth through ninth graders may participate in Electronics Camp from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Both camps will be held July 14-17 on the Tarboro campus. For more information, contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu, or visit .

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Dr. Greg McLeod, 黑料网 president, completed the forklift operator training class held on June 10.

Imagine attending a training class on the 黑料网 campus and one of your classmates is the college president!

Dr. Greg McLeod, 黑料网 president, elevated his practical skills by completing the forklift operator training class held June 10 on the Tarboro campus. By joining the class, he learned about the basic design of lift trucks, stabilization of trucks, maintenance, repair costs and safety aspects in operation.

Students are required to pass a written test and a driving test. Students who pass both tests will receive certification the day of the class. McLeod successfully obtained his forklift operator鈥檚 license.

鈥淲hile I took the class to be able to help our facilities maintenance team whenever they need me, it鈥檚 a great skill and certification to have in general since forklifts are essential to the operations of so many companies and businesses,鈥� said McLeod.

Forklift training class at 黑料网 is scheduled monthly, with attendees meeting from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fleming building on the Tarboro campus. The next class will be held Tuesday, July 15. For more information, contact ashmanp@edgecombe.edu or .

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